Liquid dispensing apparatus



June 20, 1950 c. w. SUNDBERG 2,512,395

LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 19, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June20, 1950 c. w. SUNDBERG LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Jan. 19, 1946 Patented June 20, 195

LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Carl W. Sundberg, Detroit, Mich, assignor toSeeger Refrigerator Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of MinnesotaApplication J anuary19, 1946, Serial No. 642,162

9 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in liduid dispensing apparatusfor a refrigerator door. Refrigerators have previously been constructedincorporation water tanks in which a supply of cold water may bemaintained. Difiiculty has often been experienced in filling these tanksdue to the inconvenient location .of the tank. Collapsible filling tubeshave been provided through which water may more conveniently be insertedinto the tank. Even when so equipped, however, the storage tanks haveusually been difficult to remove and clean.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigeratorincorporating a water storage tank mounted on the interior of therefrigerator door so that the tank is readily accessible "for fillingpurposes and also may be conveniently cleaned.

A further object of the present invention i to provide a storage tankequipped with a valve controlled drain tube extending through the-doorof the refrigerator. As a result cold water may be removed from the tankwithout opening the refrigerator door.

A further feature'of the present invention resides in the concealing ofthe draintube outlet within a housing below the latch housing in whichthe door latch mechanism is concealed. The appearance of therefrigerator is accordingly not marred by additional hardware, a singlefixture thus incorporating both the cold water faucet and the door latchmechanism.

A feature of the present invention. resides in providing a, valvecontrolled outlet faucet in. a refrigerator door fixture and inoperating the valve mechanism by a pressure actuated slide. By providingan inward pressure against the sliding portion of the fixture the valve.may be opened so as to allow water to flow into a suitable receptacle.

A feature of the present invention resides in providing a delayed actionvalve for controlling the flow of fluid into a glass or similarreceptacle pressed against the controlling slide mechanism. As a resultthe glass maybe placed into position beneaththe faucet before the faucetis open so as to insure the proper flow of fluid into the glass or otherreceptacle.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of acooling tank provided with an outlet tube extending through therefrigerator wall controlled by a Valve at the outlet of the tube. Thisvalve is actuated by a control mechanism through pressure of a, glassthereagainst. The valve is-so arranged that it will not open until theglass is well beneath the faucet. Furthermore, the valve closes beforethe glass is removed from beneath the same. As a result little or-nowater is allowed to drip from the faucet after the glass has beenremoved.

These and other objects'and novel features of my invention will be moreclearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming apart of my specification:

Figure 1 isa perspective view of a portion of the front of arefrigerator showing the combined latch and faucetapparatus.

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the faucet and valve showing theconstruction thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged section of a detail portion of the constructionshown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section through a portion of the water tank showing themanner in which it is connected to the refrigerator.

The refrigerator A includes a body ii] having. a door opening II whichis normally closed by the door I2. The manner in which the door isconnected to the refrigerator is not shown in the drawings as this hingestructure is well known in th art. outer covering l3 and an inner linerM. The covering 13 is shown as having an inturned flange It at the dooropening which terminates in a rearwardly extending marginal edge 16. Abreaker strip structure I! is interposed between the liner I4 and theouter covering I5 to prevent the free flow of heat into therefrigerator. The breaker strip ll has afixed projecting keeper of hookshape which is engageable with the latch mechanism to hold the doorclosed as will be later'described in detail.

The door [2 is provided with an inner liner 20 and an outer covering 2!.Insulation22 is interposed between the coverings. The innerwall of thedoor I2 is provided with a recess 23' therein to-accommodate a watertank'24. The water tank 24 fits within the recess 253 in the door l2 andis held in place by any suitable means not illustrated in the drawings.In Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings it will be notedthat a bracket 25- issecured to the door lining 20 within the recess 23 and projectsoutwardly from the lining toward the interior of the refrigerator. Thebracket 25 includes a circular inlet aperture 26 provided with a gasket21 into which the flared end 29 of the tank outlet may extend. TheWeight of the tank 24 and the liquid therein holds the tank securelyupon the gasket 21 to prevent leakage between the tank and the bracket25. Water or any other The'body It usually includes anliquid isconducted from the tank 24 through the passage 36 in the bracket 25 tothe interior of the door between the liner and the outer coverin 21. Thebracket terminates in a threaded outlet aperture 3i which accommodates atube or pipe 32 leading to the faucet valve indicated in general y thenumeral 33. The tube 23 extends through the insulation 22.

The valve 33 is supported by an elongated housing 34 which is secured toand supported by the outer door covering 2|. This housing 34' acts tosupport the valve, portions of the door latch and the faucet operatingmechanism. The

housing 34 is merely a trough-shaped member having closed ends and amarginal flange 35 bymeans of which it is secured to the door cover 4the door latch and mounting and is held in place by its own weight andby the fact that it can not be moved upwardly due to its alignment withthe remaining portions of the hardware.

The housing member 55 includes an inner wall 59 which extends downwardlyfor some distance from the upper edge of the member. This inner wall inconjunction with the outer ,wall forms a pocket or receptacle 60 whichis normally positioned directly beneath the outlet of thefaucet member41. Thus any liquid which drains from the faucet after the valve isclosed 1 drops into the receptacle as where it is kept until ing 2|. Thehousing 34 is concealed normallyby the door latch and the faucetactuating,

mechanism.

The detail structure of the faucet 33 is best illustrated in Figure 3 ofthe drawings. The faucet valve includes a substantially cylindrical bodysleeve 36 having an enlarged diameter inner end 31 which is internallythreaded to accommodate the plug 39. The plug 39 is sealed to the end 31by a gasket 46. The plug 38 acts to compress a spring 41 which exertspressure against a valve 42. The valve 42 includes a spider-like valveguide 43 and a relatively resilient tapered valve element 44 of rubberor suitable composition. A valve rod 45 extends forwardly from the valveand by applying longitudinal pressure against this rod 45 the spring 4|may be compressed to move the valve away from its valve seat 46. As soonas pressure on the valve rod 45 is released the spring 41 returns thevalve to closed position.

The inlet pipe 31 is connected to the valve body 36 to introduce liquidthereto. When the valve 42 is open the water flows about the valve andthrough the outlet faucet 41 which extends forwardly and downwardly fromthe valve body. A flange 49 isprovided on the valve body by means ofwhich the valve may be attached to the housing 34.

for a pivot 52. The pivot 52 supports a lever 53 5d and a spring 54engages the lever 53 to urge the same in a counter-clockwise directionaway from the valve rod 45. However, when the lever 53 is moved in aclockwise direction it engages the forwardly projecting end of the valverod 45 and urges the same inwardly compressing the spring 41 and openingthe valve to allow fluid to flow through the outlet faucet 41.

A forwardly projecting. housing member 55 is i. it is emptied or untilit evaporates.

As best illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings a pivoted catch Bl ispivoted at 62 to the inner wall 53 of the housing member 55. The

pivoted at 56 to the lower end of the housing 34.

The housing member 55 acts in the capacity of a closure for the openinner side of the housing 34 and also acts to enhance the appearance ofthe refrigerator. The housing member 55 projects outwardly from the doorand forms in combination with the door latch an elongated decorationwhich adds materially to the appearance of the door.

As best illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings the lower end of thehousing member 55 is slotted at 51 to receive the pivot 56. As a resultthe housing member 55 may be removed from the pivot 56 when it is sodesired. The manner in which the housing portion may be removed will belater described in detail. Normally, however.

spring 63 urges the latch in a counter-clockwise direction. A shoulder64 on the latch engages the inner wall 59 and limits pivotal movement ofthe latch in a'counter-clockwise direction. A shoulder 65 on the latch6i engages a metallic shield ,66 overlying the faucet outlet 41 toprevent the housing member 55' from being pivoted outwardly beyondalignment with the shield 66.

A finger 61 is provided on the latch 61 which extends externally of thehousing member 55. By engaging the finger 61 the latch 6| may be movedin a clockwise direction to disengage the shoulder 65 from the shield66. The housing member 55 may then be swung outwardly and lifted fromthe pivot 66 when it is desired to empty the drainage receptacle 60.

The housing member 55 engages the lower end of the arm 53. Thus aninward force against the upper portion of the housing member 55 tends topivot this housing. member about its pivot 56 into the position shown inFigure 2 of the drawings. When in this position the housing member ismoved out of the path of liquid flowing through the faucet outlet 41 andthe valve 33 is opened to allow fluid to flow. In order to catch thefluid flowing from the faucet 33, it is usual practice to force thehousing member 55 inwardly with a glass or other receptacle so that theliquid will flow into the glass as soon as the faucet is exposed and thevalve is opened.

Thus it will be seen that fluid may be removed from the water tank bymerely pressing inwardly on the top of the housing 55 with a glass orother receptac1e. The valve rod 45 is so proportioned that the valvewill not open until the lower end of the faucet is uncovered, therebypreventing fluid from being spilled or allowed to flow into thereceptacle 6!]. Thus the valve is delayedin action during its openingmovement. Asthe glass is removed the valve 33 closes to cut off the flowof fluid. Any liquid draining from thefaucet will drop into thereceptacle 60.

It will be seen from an examination of Figures 1 and 2 of the drawingsthat the door latch and faucet mechanism form an integral hardware itemwhich is extremely attractive as well as useful. The top part of thelatch handle is fixed while the latch handle 33 pivots relative thereto.The lower end of the handle 33 extends into proximity with the shield 66overlying the forwardly projecting end of the faucet for concealing thesame from view. The housing member 55 normally extends in alignment withthe shield 66, but may be removed if desired to empty the receptacle 60.y g

The operation of my apparatus is obvious from the foregoing description.The manner in which the door may be opened has been described. Themanner in which the faucet valve 33 may be opened by the inward pressureof a glass against the housing 34 has also been described. The tank 24may be removed for cleaning purposes and may be refilled when desired bymerely removing the cover of the tank not illustrated and inserting morewater in the tank.

In accordance with the patent statutes, 1'. have described theprinciples of construction and operation of my combination refrigeratordoor handle and faucet, and while I have endeavored to set forth thebest embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obviouschanges may be made within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A faucet mechanism for refrigerator doors comprising a storage tankwithin the refrigerator,

a faucet passage communicating with said tank and extending through saiddoor, a valve in said passage, an elongated open ended housing securedto the external surface of the door, an outlet for said faucet passagewithin said housing, a second housing movably supported by said door andmovable into and out of aligned relation below said first named housing,and means connecting said second housing to said valve to actuate saidvalve when said second housing moves out of alignment with said firstnamed housing.

2. A faucet apparatus in combination with a refrigerator door comprisinga liquid storage tank within the refrigerator, a faucet passagecommunicating with said tank and extending through said door, a movablemember mounted on the outer surface of said door below the outlet ofsaid faucet passage, a valve in said faucet passage, and meansconnecting said valve and said movable member whereby said valve may beopened by movement of said movable member.

3. A faucet mechanism in combination with a refrigerator door includinga tank secured within the refrigerator, a faucet passage communicatingwith said tank and extending through the door terminating in an outletexteriorly of the door, a movable member secured to the outer surface ofthe door immediately below said outlet, a valve means in said faucetpassage, and means connecting said movable member to said valve means tooperate said valve means by movement of said movable member when saidmovable member is moved from beneath said outlet.

4. A faucet apparatus for use in combination withv a refrigeratorcomprising a storage tank within the refrigerator, a faucet passageextending from said tank to the exterior of the refrigerator, anelongated housing having an upper portion provided with an open openingin the bottom thereof, said faucet passage communicating with saidopening, and said housing having a lower portion normally below saidopening and movable out of line therewith, a valve in said faucetpassage. and means connecting said lower portion of said housing to saidvalve to actuate said valve when said lower portion of said housingmoves out of alignment with said upper portion thereof.

5. A refrigerator liquid cooling system comprising a storage tank withinthe refrigerator, 2. faucet passage communicating with said tank andextending to the exterior of said refrigerator, an elongated housinghaving an upper portion provided with an open bottom through whichliquid from said faucet passage may flow, said housing including abottom portion normally closing said open lower end of said upperportion and movable out of alignment with said upper portion, a delayedaction valve in said faucet passage, and means connecting said lowerportion of said housing to said valve, movement of said lower portion ofsaid casing out of alignmentwith the upper portion thereof acting toopen said delayed action valve.

6. A faucet apparatus for use in combination with a refrigeratorincluding a storage tank within the refrigerator, a faucet passageextending from said tank to the exterior of the refrigerator, anelongated housing having an upper portion provided with an opening inthe lower end thereof, said faucet passage communicating with saidopening, a valve in said faucet passage, a lower housing portion movablysupported below said upper housing portion, means connecting said lowerhousing portion to said valve for operating the same in unison, and areceptacle in said lower housing portion for catching any drainage fromsaid faucet passage when said lower housing portion is maligned positionbelow said upper housing portion.

7. A refrigerator liquid dispenser comprising a storage tank within arefrigerator, a faucet passage communicating with said tank andextending to the exterior of said refrigerator, a movably mounted.receptacle beneath the end of said faucet passage, a valve in saidfaucet passage, means connecting said movable housing to said valve toopen said valve when said receptacle is moved from position beneath theend of said faucet passage.

8. A refrigerator liquid dispenser comprising a storage tank within arefrigerator, a faucet passage communicating with said tank andextending to the exterior of said refrigerator, a movably mountedhousing beneath the end of said faucet passage, a valve in said faucetpassage, means connecting said movable housing to said valve to opensaid valve when said housing is moved from position beneath the end ofsaid faucet passage, and a drain receptacle in said housing for catchingdrainage from said faucet passage when said valve is closed.

9. A faucet apparatus for use in combination with a refrigeratorcomprising a storage tank within the refrigerator, a faucet passageextending from said tank to the exterior of the refrigerator, anelongated housing on the exterior of the refrigerator having a movablepart, said faucet passage terminating within said housing above saidmovable part, a valve in said faucet passage, and means connecting saidmovable part and said valve for actuating said valve when said movablepart is moved from beneath the outer extremity of said faucet passage.

CARL W. SUNDBERG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,274,409 Harbison Feb. 24, 1942

